At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with leaders to shape people strategies and drive business performance.
- Company: Join Arup, a collaborative company dedicated to shaping a better world.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values individuality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding leaders through complex people decisions.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic HR roles and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 180000 £ per year.
Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. The Senior People Business Partner (BP) plays a critical role in operationalizing the People Plan by connecting Arup’s business strategy to the day-to-day realities of the business. This role ensures that people priorities are translated into clear decisions and actions that enable business performance and delivery of strategy. The BP partners closely with leaders to drive outcomes across workforce planning, capability development, and member experience. Acting as a trusted advisor, the BP brings insight, sound judgement, and deep people expertise to guide leaders through complex decisions, ensuring alignment with both business priorities and Arup’s values. This is a highly impactful role requiring credibility with senior stakeholders, the ability to navigate sensitive and complex situations, and a strong focus on delivering effective, business-led people outcomes.
The Opportunity
- Partner with leaders to shape decisions on performance, capability, organisation, and culture
- Translate business priorities into clear, actionable people plans that drive measurable outcomes
- Support workforce planning to ensure the right capability, capacity, and deployment of talent
- Provide thoughtful challenge and commercially grounded guidance to support informed decision-making
- Build leadership capability through coaching, influence, and continuous feedback
Shaping People Decisions & Outcomes
- Lead cyclical people processes (talent, performance, reward, and workforce planning) to drive strong performance and a healthy feedback culture
- Facilitate key moments such as talent reviews, succession planning, and performance discussions
- Enable fair, consistent, and commercially sound decisions on pay, progression, and performance
- Apply global frameworks and tools in a way that reflects local business context
Integrating the People Plan
- Deliver integrated, forward-looking advice across performance, reward, engagement, employee relations, learning, and inclusion
- Use data, insight, and experience to diagnose organisational challenges and identify priorities
- Shape a high-quality, consistent member experience across the employee lifecycle
- Guide leaders through complex and sensitive people matters with sound judgement and care
- Identify risks, trends, and opportunities, and partner with leaders to address them proactively
What Success Looks Like
- Success in this role is reflected in the quality of business decisions and outcomes achieved:
- Leaders view the BP as a trusted, credible partner in decision-making
- People priorities are clearly aligned to business strategy and performance
- Talent, performance, and reward outcomes are consistent, robust, and well-managed
- Complex people matters are handled with sound judgement, balancing experience and risk
- Demonstrable improvements in leadership capability, engagement, and organisational effectiveness
- Strong ownership of people outcomes within the business, supported by the right use of expertise
At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.
Is this role right for you?
- Proven experience operating in a Business Partner or similar strategic HR role supporting clients in different countries
- Demonstrated ability to influence and build credibility with senior leaders
- Strong judgement and experience handling complex and sensitive people matters
- Experience leading or supporting core people processes (e.g., talent reviews, performance, succession)
- Ability to translate business strategy into actionable people plans
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to inform decisions
- Excellent communication, coaching, and stakeholder management capabilities
What we offer you
At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.
We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.
Different people, shared values
Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.
Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.
We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact nick.newell@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.
Hiring Range - The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in New York City is 150,000 to 180,000 per year. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of New York City will differ.
Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.
Senior People Partner employer: Arup
Arup is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, empowering its members to thrive through meaningful projects that contribute to a better world. With a strong focus on personal growth, competitive rewards, and a commitment to diversity, Arup provides ample opportunities for professional development and engagement in socially impactful work. Located in New York City, employees benefit from a vibrant urban environment while being part of a global team dedicated to innovation and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior People Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former Arup employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Senior People Partner role. Personal connections can give you insights that no job description can.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding Arup’s values and how they align with your own. Think of examples from your past that showcase your ability to influence leaders and handle complex people matters. This will help you demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific instances where you've successfully translated business strategy into actionable people plans. Use data and outcomes to back up your stories – this shows you’re results-driven and analytical, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Arup team. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior People Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior People Partner role. Highlight how your background connects with Arup’s values and mission.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your previous roles, focus on the outcomes you achieved. Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you’ve influenced business decisions and improved people processes in past positions.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. Arup values individuality, so don’t be afraid to share your unique perspective and experiences that make you a great fit for their team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures your application is seen by the right people and gives you the best chance to stand out in the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Arup
✨Know Arup Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Arup’s values, purpose, and recent projects. Understanding their collaborative approach and how they shape a better world will help you align your answers with their mission and demonstrate your genuine interest in the company.
✨Showcase Your People Expertise
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated complex people matters or influenced senior leaders. Highlight your ability to translate business strategy into actionable people plans, as this is crucial for the Senior People Partner role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your judgement and problem-solving skills. Think of scenarios where you had to make tough decisions regarding talent management or performance discussions, and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes.
✨Engage with Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the company. Inquire about how Arup measures success in people outcomes or how they foster leadership capability. This shows your proactive mindset and genuine interest in contributing to their goals.
